Tata Motor's Nano (You Tube debut video)

After much anticipation, reservations for the Tata Nano, the India-manufactured car some automobile experts believe will be as influential as the Model T Ford and the Volkswagen Beetle, will be available for March 23 in more than 400 dealerships in India. The Nano, billed as the world’s cheapest car and nicknamed “The People’s Car,” will cost an estimated $1,945 or 100,00 rupees, the currency of India.

According to Tata Motors representatives, full production of the Nano will take 1 1/2 years and only a limited supply of the vehicle will be available this spring.

Ratan Tata, who conceived the car, said a European version of the Nano meeting all European emission and safety standards will be available in 2001. It will cost approximately 5,000 euros ($6,390 dollars). Distribution of the Tata Nano in the United States is also feasible, but is not currently planned.